Agraphobia Treatment

Just like other types of anxiety, mood and mental health disorders, agraphobia treatment often consists of counseling, hypnosis, desensitization and medication. Many of the same medications that are used to treat other anxiety disorders and phobias can be used in the treatment of agraphobia. Behavioral therapy is also a common method of treatment used to help those who suffer from agraphobia to learn how to avoid triggers, cope with stress and effectively work through feelings of anxiety with minimal disruptions in their lifestyles or routines.

Counseling

Agraphobia is considered an anxiety disorder and it is well managed with psychological counseling and support. In most cases, agraphobia can be effectively treated by a trained mental health professional such as a licensed psychologist or psychologist who is trained in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a highly effective treatment for anxiety disorders and can help those who suffer from agraphobia to identify and learn how to manage the factors that contribute to their heightened anxiety and fear of sexual abuse.

Behavioral therapy such as CBT involves using various techniques to stop undesired behaviors associated with extreme anxiety. The patient will learn how to recognize the circumstances that trigger their fear, work through their emotions and relax to reduce poor behaviors that are normally involved in the decreased function and quality of life that comes as a result of the uncontrollable fear associated with agraphobia.

Medications

The same medications that are widely used in the treatment of anxiety may be effective in treating agraphobia. Some of the most common medications to be used include:

Xanax (alprazolam)

Valium (diazepam)

Klonopin (clonazepam)

Ativan (lorazepam)

These anti-anxiety medications are all part of the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. Also called Benzos, these medications are fast acting and usually begin to take effect within about 30 minutes making them the primary method of medication based treatment for panic attacks and anxiety disorders such as agraphobia.

Hypnosis

Anxiety and the fear of sexual abuse can sometimes be treated using hypnosis. Studies have found hypnosis to have a very clear role in acting as an anti-anxiety agent. Hypnosis can induce relaxation, alleviate stress, and may even help the individual to come to terms with the phobia that he or she has without it having a deep impact on the individual psychological health of the person. Persistent anxiety that includes fidgeting, restlessness, upset stomach and apprehension toward certain situations can be well treated using hypnotic therapy methods of treatment.